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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal
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Mark Your Calendars For 2014 Field Days
Events are a chance to learn from researchers at your local research center

Story: Kyle Spradley | spradleyk@missouri.edu
Photos: Kyle Spradley
At last year's Field Day at Graves-Chapple Research Center in Rock Port, Tim Reinbott, superintendent of Bradford Research Center, speaks to the crowd about what do cover crops contribute to soil nutrient availability and fertility.
At last year's Field Day at Graves-Chapple Research Center in Rock Port, Tim Reinbott, superintendent of Bradford Research Center, speaks to the crowd about what do cover crops contribute to soil nutrient availability and fertility.
The main goal of any university is to educate, conduct research and improve the lives of others. Although the University of Missouri is commonly known for instruction at the campus in Columbia, the MU outreach goes beyond the classroom — it stretches to every corner of Missouri.
For more than a century MU Extension has provided workshops, assistance programs and connected to the people of the state.  The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Centers also provide an abundance of educational opportunities that many Missourians can find right in their own backyard.
“This is a great opportunity to get the latest information from CAFNR researchers and local Extension faculty,” said Marc Linit, associate director of the MU Agricultural Experiment Stations.

Brad Scharf, MU Post Doctoral Student, talks to the crowd about Thermal Aid. The new smart phone app from MU helps detect heat stress in livestock at the Wurdack Research Center Field Day last year.
Brad Scharf, MU Post Doctoral Student, talks to the crowd about Thermal Aid. The new smart phone app from MU helps detect heat stress in livestock at the Wurdack Research Center Field Day last year.

The Agricultural Research Centers across the state routinely host Field Days as a chance for the public to learn more about ways to improve the product they produce or enhance the quality of their land. For cattle ranchers and row-crop farmers to vineyard owners and walnut growers, there is plenty to gain from attending a Field Day and research and Extension faculty will address your agricultural challenges and questions.

For cattle ranchers, visit the Forage Systems Research Center in northern Missouri to see the latest on nitrogen management and forage production. Head to the Ozark hills at Wurdack Research Center outside of Rolla to understand the benefits of switching pastures from toxic fescue to novel endophyte varieties.
MU has long been known for its Variety Testing Program that helps farmers pick out the best seed. Each year, thousands of varieties of corn, soybean, wheat and cotton are tested at several centers and dozens of additional plots with the results published annually. To get a hands-on look of the varieties stop by Graves-Chapple Research Center in Rock Port,Hundley-Whaley Research Center in Albany or Greenley Research Center near Kirksville.
Missouri’s impact on the wine industry has seen a tenacious resurgence in the last decade and MU researchers are there to help. With the help of the MU Wine and Grape Institute and vineyards at Southwest Research Center in Mt. Vernon,Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center near Boonville and South Farm Research Center in Columbia, grape growers are provided with a wealth of the latest information and research.
Cotton and rice are sometimes forgotten Show-Me State crops. But at the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, research has been going on with these crops in the state’s southeastern Bootheel region for decades.
Back on the calendar this year is the Southwest Research Center Field Day on September 12. The center is known for its cattle research, walnut production studies, vineyard and even elderberry trials that will be shared at the Field Day.
New to this year’s lineup of Field Days will be Agriculture Tech Fair at Bradford Research Center in Columbia on July 17. The full-day event will feature the latest in agriculture technology and what the future has for the modern-day farm.
For more information about CAFNR’s Agricultural Research Centers, visit http://bit.ly/CAFNRcenters.
For high-resolution press-quality photos of previous Field Days, visit http://bit.ly/fieldays. To download images of CAFNR’s Agricultural Research Centers, visit http://bit.ly/arcenters.
June
19Bradford Research Center Quail & Native Pollinator Field DayColumbia
July
17Bradford Research Center Agriculture Technology FairColumbia
22South Farm Research Center Turfgrass and Ornamental Field DayColumbia
29-30Bradford Research Center Crop Injury ClinicColumbia
August
1Bradford Research Center Organic Field DayColumbia
5Greenley Research Center Field DayNovelty
14Bradford Research Center Soil Health ExpoColumbia
26Graves-Chapple Research Center Field DayRock Port
27Hundley-Whaley Research Center Field DayAlbany
September
2Fisher Delta Research Center Field DayPortageville
4Bradford Research Center Tomato FestivalColumbia
12Southwest Research Center Field DayMt. Vernon
16Thompson Research Center Field DaySpickard
23Forage Systems Research Center Field DayLinneus
27South Farm Research Center ShowcaseColumbia
October
3Wurdack Research Center Field DayCook Station

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